Fear of feds leads to nullification fever in SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The old idea of nullification is finding new life at the South Carolina Statehouse.

Several bills filed over the past few years would allow the state to ignore federal laws on gun control and light bulbs and mint its own currency.

Several hundred people came to a rally on the opening day of the General Assembly supporting a bill that would declare that the new health care law supported by President Barack Obama is not legal in the state. It said anyone trying to enforce it would be guilty of a felony.

The bills haven't gotten much traction. But critics say they make it harder to compromise on other items.

Nullification first came about in the 1830s, when President Andrew Jackson threatened military action if South Carolina refused to collect a tariff.

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